One of my favorite writing challenges is found at Carrot Ranch.com. Charlie Mills, the lead Buckaroo, shares a weekly challenge by providing a prompt. The Rules are listed in the link below:
Challenge Rules
This is the first time in many months I’ve had the time to take part. Since the first draft of my poetry book is with my content editor, I have the chance to spread my wings. It feels like I’m coming home to family.
The flash fiction challenge July 23, 2020, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story to show what it is to protect nature around us. It can be set in any era or told in any genre. You can fictionalize a true story or completely make it up. Go where the prompt leads!
Respond by July 28, 2020.
Prayer to the Nature Spirits
Tara heaved the last rock into place. Twelve stones twisted in a spiral around the ancient Rowan tree.
“What does the tree mean, Nanna?”
“The tree symbolizes the nature spirits, Maeve. It’s roots sink into the earth, past the Ancestors to the water below while its branches touch the sky, to reach the Shining Ones. We live in the middle realm between the Ancestors below and the realm of the Shining One’s above. It’s up to us to give offerings and thanks, and to protect the land.”
The two knelt down in the earth and said a silent prayer.
©2020 Colleen M. Chesebro
Colleen M. Chesebro 
It sounds like a moment Maeve will remember (I hope).
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I hope so too. I love the name, and was thrilled to use Maeve in a story. ❤
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Your story serves as a good reminder that we should thank the nature spirits more often.
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Thanks, Liz. If we did that we would be in better shape with climate change, I believe. ❤
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I think we would, for sure.
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I actually have a tree with the pagan spiral dedicated to the land spirts. My housing area was natural desert before. I leave water offerings and prayers. 😍🔮🌈
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If I remember correctly, I think you shared a photo of the tree with the pagan spiral?
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Yes! That was a part of our landscaping. 😍
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Beautiful message Sis ❤
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Thanks. I’ve got to get back to writing short stories again. FMM II needs to be done before December. ❤️
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You go girl!<3
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❤️
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Thanks so much, Traci. ❤️
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Something more of us should be doing these days. (K)
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I agree. That connection to the earth is so special. ❤️
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So beautiful, Colleen! Your submission is a great use of the prompt!
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Thanks, Jan. I love honoring the nature and land spirits. ❤
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I love this, Colleen:) it gave me a peaceful moment.
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Thanks, Denise. We all need more peace in our lives. ❤️
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You make a great tree avatar, Colleen! The Rowan tree and the lesson imparted from one woman to another is a strong story of connectivity.
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Thanks, Charli. That’s what I hoped would come across. I missed you guys! ❤️
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This is one of the most “Colleen” things I’ve ever read. 🙂
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LOL! I’ll take that as a compliment. It’s the handing down of the old ways that I love so much. You know I have a tree with a Pagan spiral. It pays to show respect for the land spirits. ❤
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I love this, Colleen. So serene and unified.
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Thanks so much, Norah. I love these stories. ❤
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🙂
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💞nature
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Thanks. 🥰
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